Poor circulation in your hands and feet can cause many symptoms from numbness to dizziness and even deadly blood clots known as deep vein thrombosis. Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a condition where the circulatory system is not meeting the metabolic needs of your hands and feet due to poor blood flow. Below are the 5 top causes of poor circulation in hands and feet.

1.Heart Disease

Heart disease directly affects your heart’s ability to sufficiently pump blood through your entire body. This slowdown in your circulatory system will directly affect your hands and feet. When oxygenated blood is not being delivered to your hands in feet you begin to feel numbness. If you have any history of heart disease or have elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, or irregular heartbeats make sure you see a doctor regularly to protect yourself from heart disease.

2.Smoking

Smoking damages the blood vessels that transport blood from our heart throughout the rest of our body. Furthermore, smoking decreases the amount of oxygen in our blood and drastically increases your chances of blood clots. Nicotine also raises your blood pressure, increases your heart rate and constricts your blood vessels. Quitting smoking now is by far one of the best things you can do to improve blood circulation and your overall health.

3.Raynaud’s Syndrome

Raynaud’s syndrome is characterized by the constriction of blood vessels in your fingers and toes and attacks are triggered by stress and cold weather. Raynaud’s syndrome can be caused by genetic connective tissue disorders as well as through external factors like eating disorders and certain prescription drugs like beta-blockers. Symptoms include change in skin color (pale or blue), swelling and tingling in your hands and feet.

Physical activity is vital for a health circulatory system. Exercise strengthens your heart, lowers your blood pressure and prevents heart disease. Exercise also increases the amount of red blood cells in your circulatory system thereby increasing the amount of oxygen in your blood. Whatever you do make sure that your choice of exercise is enjoyable. The more you enjoy it the more likely you will stick with it. Cardiovascular health is a long term commitment and should be approached accordingly.

Poor circulation can lead to many serious health issues down the road and should be addressed immediately. Take steps to strengthen your heart and improve your cardiovascular health for a longer and healthier life. Make sure to visit the doctor regularly to check for heart disease or Raynaud’s syndrome.

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One Response to “5 Causes of Poor Circulation in Hands and Feet”

1

Greta Says:
Well, the only thing I can see in my case is caffeine consumption, but can coffee really be responsible for cold feet? I like my morning cup of coffee, but will quitting it really make my feet less cold?January 27th, 2011 at 9:17 am